Chilly start to new year will last into the weekend.

2012 brought record-breaking warmth

Last year went into the books as the warmest year on record in Houston, so it seems strange to many people that 2013 is beginning on such a cold note.

For those of you who are enjoying the change, you'll be glad to hear that it's going to continue into the weekend!

With Wednesday's temperatures hovering in the 40s all day long -- and wind chill temperatures in the 30s -- many people are left scratching their heads. In ALL of 2012 there were only two days in Houston with a high temperature below 50 degrees, so this kind of weather is definitely out of the ordinary for us.

Considering that our average high temperature this time of year is 63 degrees, highs in the 40s shouldn't be unusual. But, because we've gotten so used to exceptional warmth, a cold stretch with temperatures 15 to 20 degrees below normal seems absurd. In contrast, we don't bat an eyelash when the pendulum swings the other way and we reach a high of 80 degrees. That has happened nine times in the last month alone!

While we won't stay in the 40s every afternoon for the rest of the week, we WILL have cooler than normal temperatures through Saturday. Highs should top out in the 50s with mainly cloudy skies and a few sprinkles or light rain showers continuing now and then through Saturday morning. Eventually, high pressure will take over, bringing us more sunshine and temperatures back in the 60s.

So, if you're a big fan of chilly winter weather, enjoy! If you'd much rather have the warmth back, you'll have to wait just a little while longer.